Womans NC 3 North

Richmondshire RUFC Woman 7 v Percy Park RFC Panthers 7

Park denied by a foot and Stephs digits

For their final game of the season Percy Park Panthers travelled to Richmond having lost their fly half an hour before the bus set off from Preston Avenue. It never showed. Percy Park were at their opponents with real enthusisam to record their first win of their inaugral season. The reason they disd not was harsg as Steph Gicquel was deemed to have too long fingers.

The Panthers dominated 60 minutes of the game with Steph Gicquel going over to score under the posts after 16 minutes and Lauren Watson converting.

Paige Wood went over in the corner but was adjudged to have a foot in touch and Steph scored from a line out only to be told that while her feet were behind the 5 metre line her hands weren’t!Some interesting refereeing decisions and two yellow cards piled the pressure onto Park who responded bravely but eventually conceded five minutes before time from a pre planned move from five metre scrum.

All in all an amazing result for the Panthers as not withstanding the score line they are a completely different team from those that started the season.

Representing Percy park RFC

From 15: Dom Hepples,Paige Wood, Caitlin Monteath-Stokoe,Beth Calvert, Laura Timney, Amber Cassells and Lauren Watson

From 8 Lauren Watson, Amber Cassells,Rachel White,Lauren Watson,Anna Golightly,Nesha Wood, Claire Davies, Katie Shanley, Alexandra Goldsborough

Finishers: Tina Attersall-Colclough,Sharah Jane Laybourne, Anna Ford, Shannon Linney, Maria Chisholm and Marie Watson 

A squad of 22  Panthers travelled  to Horden on Sunday to face the strongest team in the league. Horden, who were unbeaten, had not conceded a try in the league all season and the novice Panthers team were always going to face an uphill task against a side who had played together since under 13's.

However the score does not truly reflect one of the most bruising encounters Horden have had all season and they had to work for every one of their tries. The scene after 13 minutes when three injured Panthers left the field simultaneously to make way for replacements was described by one of the Panthers coaches as like a scene from the Somme!

Horden's forwards met wave after wave of Panthers defenders often having to go through 12 or 13 phases before sucking in enough Panthers players to allow their lightning fast backs to go round the outside.

The Panthers never gave up and eventually forced a score in the second half through scrum-half Rachel White following a strong run from the back of the scrum by number eight Katie Shanley.

Bowed but not dispirited the Panthers more than held their own in the post-match festivities and enjoyed a lively coach ride back to Preston Avenue where the carousing continued after they were informed by their lead coach, Andy Wilkinson that they had been chosen as the Northumberland RFU's team of the month for December! Well done all.

For all would be players Percy Park Panthers are a new team that are fully inclusive, it does not matter if you have played before or played for years you will be fully welcome.  The team have seen it’s numbers grow since lockdown from just 4 attending training sessions to now consistently getting over 20. Last weekend saw 30 players making themselves available for selection for our fixture. The thing that makes this team so special is the commitment both players and coaches have in regards to mental health which is at its core. There is a strong sense of togetherness throughout the squad which emulates a genuine feeling that you are ever alone.To show our commitment and recognition of importance of mental health we have the the semi colon on our playing shirts to show our support to players, their families and supporters.

The Panthers next game is away to Richmondshire on Sunday, 20 February.

Representing Percy Park RFC

From 15:Nicole Dominicia, Sarah Jayne Laybourne,Rebecca Casey, Beth Calvert, Caitlin Monteath-Stokoe, Victoria Moxom and Rachel White.

From 8:  Lauren Watson, Anna Golightly, Nesha Wood, Alison Davies, Katie Shanley, Sarah Hartshorne, Alexandra Goldsborough and Stephanie Gicquel

Finishers; Tina Attersall-Colclough,Maria Chisholm, Fay Bell, Lyndsey Taylor, Anna Ford, Jayne Moore and Danielle Wood-Paige,

Women’s NC 3 (North)

Percy Park RFC Panthers 5 v Houghton RUFC Ladies 26 

Great First Half but Park fall away in the second

The rain held off long enough to allow the Percy Park Panthers their long awaited return to the pitch. With the ground underfoot soft to ‘Glastonbury like’ the girls arrived fresh and ready for a battle, warming up with intensity and intent.

Percy Park Panthers took to the field for the first time this year and their hunger was evident. Having chosen to kick Houghton sent the ball high and straight into the safe hands of second row Katie Shanley whose strength and determination gained the Panthers some great ground. Strong defence around the ruck enabled clean ball for snipey scrum half Rachel White to pass out to another hungry pod of forwards led by Faye Bell who charged into Houghton’s forwards to gain further ground. Strong rucking from Sarah Hartshorne and Tina Attersall-Colclough making the movement of the ball out to Vicky Moxom at 10, whose debut in the position proved to be electric for the Panthers over the next 80 minutes.

The Panthers continued to dominate and camped out on the oppositions 22 for a solid 10 minutes chipping away at their defence. A clever angled run from Beth Calvert caught Houghton off guard and raised the roof of the supporters pitch side, recycled and the Panthers surged forward again this time with number 8 Lauren Watson leading the charge, Marie Watson on her shoulder hungry for the little tip. With wave after wave of forward pods relentless, Houghton flooded the near side. Quick thinking from Alexandra Goldsborough and Caitlin Monteath-Stokoe with a cheeky switch exploiting the inside line left them scrambling to re-align and prevent the try.

Excellent rucking from Houghton saw them regain possession but a clinical tackle from Moxom brought them back to earth with a thump. Houghton made good ground down the pitch and secured a penalty half way-choosing to kick for territory and winning their line out. Relentless tackling from the Panthers again pushed them back to the 22 but a quick ball out to the backs saw them dotting down just under the posts. An injury to Panthers Laura Timney was a big blow to the Panthers as her tackling had been instrumental up until then. As she left the field the team reshuffled and set themselves for the restart.

Strong running from the first of the replacements Shonie Sansom – one to watch for the future with her strength and retention of the ball in contact.

7- 0 at half time, in no way a reflection of the possession and skill on show from the Panthers.

At the restart the Panthers steal possession and 12 Beth goes on another blinding run before , unfortunately being turned over on the ground and a well weighted pass between the Houghton centre gives debut player Anna Thompson no chance of covering 2 players. She does not make it easy for them though chasing the 13 down and forcing a pass back inside for Houghtons second try.

An injury check gives a brief breather for second row Katie and makes way for Lyndsey Taylor who joins in the pod formation led by tenacious Jayne Moore crashing into contact like a wrecking ball. Quick to protect the ball were Emily Mather and stand in forward Moxom to secure the ball once again. Scrum half Rachel keeping her calm before making the pass, between explaining the rules to the referee as only a scrum half can do!

A slip in concentration led to a loss of possession and the boot of Houghton’s fly half sent it deep into the secure hands of fullback Dom Hepples whose work under the high ball was impressive throughout the game.

Scrum to Red on the Panthers 22, sees a try saving tackle from Lauren, and another strong tackle, the wind in their sails the reds come again and manage to finally break the Panthers defence to cross the line.

Another break from Houghton at the restart looked like a done and dusted try, and it would have been if not for the speed and accuracy of Caitlin tracking back and annihilating the unsuspecting player. Unfortunately, the support from Houghton was too good and they crossed for another try. This time missing the conversion.

Back down in Houghton’s territory sees a Panther’s scrum, Katie now at 8 'picks and go’s' from the base of the scrum hurtling towards the red pack driving forward having made approx. 20 metres before the ball is recycled quickly by White and popped up to the fresh legs of Laura Lodge who doesn’t waste her fleeting visit to the pitch, crashing over for Park’s only try. Team and spectators roar with delight at the well earned try that was owed to every lady that was on the field

They weren’t finished there and a spectacular take from White led to another charge up the field supported by yet another impressive line from Beth; unfortunately a slightly misplaced elbow results in turn over ball. Not for long though and the ball is Parks again with Shonie storming away again encouraged by a hungry crowd of supporters, followed by another strong run by Sarah , Park unwilling to call it a day despite the clear fatigue setting in.

Another scrum followed by run after run from Alex and Katie, leads to a penalty to Park leading to a precise kick from Lauren putting Park’s line out just 5 metres from the try line. Nearly a second try -this time for Beth -however good ripping from Houghton denied Park the 5 points. A great piece of play between Beth and Anna but once more ripped.

Final whistle and though not the score the ladies wanted a true example of a team performance with everyone playing their hearts out and supporting each other. A phenomenal first half with plenty of positives and some things to work on but ultimately a great display of women’s rugby to ignite the passion in the next generation of girls and women’s rugby in the North East.

Representing Percy Park RFC:

Forwards:1.Stephanie Gicquel , 2.Alexandra Goldsbrough,3.Laura Lodge,4.Shonie Sansom, 5.Tina Attersall-Colclough, 7.Lydnsey Taylor, 6.Maria Chisholm, 8.Katie Shanley

Backs: 9.Rachel White, 10.Vicky Moxom 11.Rebecca Casey, 12.Sarah -Jane Laybourne, 13.Katie Louise Prince, 14.Mya Yasmin 15:Dom Hepples

Finishers: Laura Timney, Emily Mather, Faye Bell, Lauren Watson, Lauren Jones, Jayne Moore, Anna Thompson, Sarah Hartshorne, Marie Watson

National Championship

Women’s NC3 North

Houghton RUFC 26-Percy Park RFC Panthers 0

Percy Park travelled to Houghton for their first away game of their NC3 campaign on Sunday with 5 league debutants and while they eventually ran out second they gave the experienced Houghton girls and a couple of Sunderland guests a real fright!

The pack were outstanding taking the first scrum against the head and then putting the much vaunted Houghton/Sunderland pack under intense pressure at every subsequent scrum.

Playing into a stiff breeze in the first half the Panthers turned around after the break 5 points down after a strong defensive performance against a very experienced Houghton backline.

The game then ebbed and flowed in the second half with both sides missing scoring opportunities. Houghton got into their offloading stride and despite a mighty Panthers defensive effort, with no one taking a backward step, scored two outstanding tries after multiple phases and one fantastic solo effort from their talented fullback; all three tries were converted allowing Houghton to run out 26-0 winners.

The Panthers can take great pride in this performance, with huge improvements in their defensive and attacking organisation and a scrum described by one veteran Sunderland prop as the best she'd ever played against!

The only way is up!

Representing Percy Park RFC

From 15: Vicky Moxom, Laura Timney, Caitlin Monteath-St, Lauren Jones, Rebecca Casey, Amber Cassells, Rachel White

From 8: Katie Shanley, Anna Golightly, Grace McLeod, Shona Sansom, Tina Attersal, Laura Lodge, Stephanie Gicquel and Faye Bell

Finishers: Alex Goldsborough, Katie Louise Prince, Maria Chisholm, Paige Wood, Sarah Jane Laybourne.